Chapter 16: The Step Brother

In hindsight, perhaps we shouldn't have returned back to Arisota's Fort's fortress through the roads in the city districts? That would make the most sense in this situation, right? I mean, we could have gone back to the guardhouse, gave those guards stationed there a second bribe and be on our merry way back through the secret tunnel passages. Nobody would be the wiser while I, Arrinoka, and Thaladine wouldn't be suspected of sneaking out in the evening. Simple!

But nope.

Zuddle caught us sneaking back in through the front gates.

Fortunately for me, Zuddle's sleep schedule matches with Arrinoka's, meaning that I'd have enough time to sort out my alibi as best as I can before Zuddle's interrogative inquisitions start. ... Except that I was too focused on my anxiety that I didn't have time to create an alibi. I think I woken Arrinoka up a few times just from my pacing alone. I kinda wanted to discuss this at length with him and Thaladine before Zuddle decides to question us one-by-one, and yet everyone was focused on sleeping away the hours of the night while I was trying to formulate an entire conversation that didn't happen between me and two others during a secret outing.

Guh.

Anyway, I barely had any sleep during my waking uneasiness, and my thoughts turned to a waking Arrinoka. I quickly scurried to the side of his bed in anticipation. "Are you awake?"

Arrinoka blinked his eyes open, gazed at me, sighed, and then looked at the curtain cloths hanging above his canopy bed. "I suppose I am."

"Okay good because I really need to go zhrough my rough drafts wizh you because I don't want Zuddle to know what we were doing yesterday evening and-" I babbled and gabbled, but a quick stop gesture stopped me from continuing.

"Roy, enough. Breakfast first, and then we talk." Arrinoka groaned before he got out of his large bed.

I blinked at him a few times before nodding solemnly. "Uh... Right. Okay. Yes. Take zhe time you need."

Arrinoka shook his head glibly as he rubbed his eyes. "Honestly, you are too high-strung this morning. I'm only beginning to regret licensing you as my pet."

I sighed as I began pacing again. "Well if I'm not worried about you deciding to revoke zhat license, zhen it would be your brozher, Zuddle, zhat I'm more worried about."

Arrinoka blinked a few more times before palming his face. "Oh. Yeah, that's right. We uh... We ran into him yesterday evening."

I didn't bother to respond to his statement. Actually, should I go and see if Thaladine is up? Maybe we can get my alibi perfected with her help? But then again we would have to find a secluded and quiet place where the voice of a baxxid wouldn't carry over to eavesdroppers and passerby. Would Arrinoka know of such a place? Did he build some noise-cancelling vault or chamber that lets Thaladine shout as loud as she wants? ... Actually maybe not. Baxxids can get pretty loud if they want to be. So maybe... Maybe he built a whisper-canceling vault to relay secret messages? That seems more plausible to me.

Arrinoka sighed once he finished dressing himself up in his regal casual clothes. "I think I will speak with Thaladine after our morning meal. Afterwards, I will need you to distract my brother for the time being."

My focus was immediately directed to Fortmaster Arrinoka, making me stop my pacing entirely. "Wait. You... You want me to what?"

"Distract my brother." Arrinoka repeated to me more slowly and turning to me. "There will come a time where Zuddle will inquire about our little adventure from yesterday, so what I need to do is speak with Thaladine in privacy. All you have to do is divert his attention long enough for me to get our stories accurate. Do you think you can divert his attention long enough to help facilitate my plan?"

I hesitated for a few seconds as I pondered my answer. "... How uh... How do you expect me to do zhat?"

Arrinoka rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Use any kind of nonsense! Say you want to be friends with him, or invite him to a yinglet game, maybe ask him what his favorite things are. Anything that would entertain him for at least a while."

I nodded as I looked down at the ground in deep concentration. Do I really want to do this? No. On the other hand, this will give Arrinoka the time he needs with Thaladine. I looked back up at him. "But what if we take too long and we need to... Eh... Have an 'outing' like yesterday?" I said with finger-quotes.

Arrinoka sighed. "If you're really that concerned about your compatriots, then I can carry the whistle with me and go with just Thaladine."

"Can we do it at zhe last minute? Or would Zuddle suspect somezhing?" I asked.

"We'd have to be subtle in Zuddle's presence, but we can forgo that risk entirely if you give me the whistle before you begin seeking his attention." Arrinoka answered with a patient nod.

I hesitated for a second or two before I made a defeated sigh. I dug into my pocket to fish out the grass whistle Arrinoka had given to me, even when it was initially his to begin with. "Whatever you do, I ask zhat you don't break it." I said, handing the grass whistle to him. "Just be careful when you blow it. You don't want to snap zhe grass blade, and you'll have to replace it wizh anozher blade if you do."

He inspected the whistle for a bit, wondering where he should put his lips on the thing. Maybe he should wash it first? After a few tries, he found a way to blow through it that finally made it whistle. *FffFwewweeeeettt* ... He might need some practice. Once he pocketed my whistle, he gave me a satisfactory nod. "Right then. Time for the morning meal. And this time, we'll be having our breakfast in the dining hall."

I blinked. "Zhe dining hall? Uh. Does zhat mean I'll have to learn some dining etiquette as we eat? In front of ozher people?"

"You're a quick learner, Roy." Arrinoka assured with a gentle pat on my back. "I'm sure you'll figure out the basics from observation alone."

The dining hall seemed to be similar to the greeting hall. There might be many halls that were like this inside of Arisota's Fort, but that's just an assumption of mine. Unlike the meeting hall, this one happens to have less decorations decorating its insides. I'm guessing the organizer for the upcoming greeting party is slowly working her way into here as well. What was her name again? Kali? Karina? No wait, I think it's Kalina or something. Gah. I'm bad with names sometimes.

However, the dining hall was populated with a group of people I didn't know, save for a few individuals I already recognize. I already know Arrinoka, seated at the head of the table. Then there's the party organizer, Kalina DaggerKnuckle or whatever her name is. Zuddle, sitting close to the Fortmaster. There's Teecam and other servants bringing in food to serve, but I don't think they'll be eating with us. And that's about all the people I know in this fort. I guess Borafous would have been present here if he wanted to, but I suppose his duty as captain of the Outerguards made it so he can't remain inside of the fort's walls for long. Thaladine wasn't present either, so I also assume she must have duties of a similar vein. On the other hand, considering that she is Arrinoka's bodyguard, I'd expected her to be at her master's side, body-guarding him. Perhaps she feels too undignified eating with humans and would rather opt out? It's possible.

There were four other people sitting here at the table. Three of them were elders that wore the same matching clothes, looking like gray robes with green, gold, black and red accents. They sure gave me some derisive or amused looks. The fourth member happened to be a guest that was invited on the behalf of the elders. Apparently, by the ancient customs and traditions of the dining hall, the master of the fort can give anyone special seating permissions to dine with him. This permission can be given to anyone, but mainly to those that live in The Crown, and that each sitter is allowed to invite one guest to the table. The invited person just so happens to be the fekker that had his hand up my ass and wrote the pet license with my name registered to it. I won't bother remembering his name.

As for me? Apparently I've been 'invited as a guest to the table' on Arrinoka's behalf. So here I am, sitting on a chair with lots of books and a cushion to boost my height so I can see the table properly, and seated next to Arrinoka Arisota himself. I guess this is one of the reasons why I'm being given looks of derision and amusement by those elders. The guild master of the Exotic Animals Registry Guild was probably happy to see me again, I guess. I'll also need to thank Teecam later for getting my chair set up for me to sit in.

One of the elders decided to pipe up. He's a haggard grandfather looking like a tan and freckled handbag that saw many seasons, whom is bald with straight silver hair sweeping and fanning out from the sides of his head, making it look like he was a mad scientist. "When did we start bringing animals to the table?"

Arrinoka looked at the elder with a gentle smile. "Elder Norak, Roy has been invited to the dining table at my behest." He responded with measured patience.

"Humph." The elder, Norak apparently, replied. He continued to focus on me with disgruntled annoyance.

"Well I think it's a wonderful change of pace, dear little Arri." Another elder said. This one appeared to be a sweet old grandmother. She seemed to be chewing on something. She was probably fighting against the snaggletooth that was constantly pushed past her lips. Her hair is done in pigtails and were also silvery. "When I heard you took a yinglet in as a pet, I was curious about its disposition. From what I see, he looks quite well-mannered sitting on that chair like a dignified little man! Hoo hoo!"

"He's yellow. Like a Far-Field flower." The other elder said plainly and impassively. This one also looks like a grandmother. Paler, somewhat taller than the other grandmother, and one of her hands were heavily bandaged. She wasn't as wrinkled as the other two elders, yet her hair was beginning to grow small streaks of silver in her straight black hair, done in a beehive hairdo. I honestly didn't think that hairstyle would exist in this world! Also kinda seemed out of it, like she stayed up all night and is barely lucid in the morning.

Arrinoka nodded at the two elderly women. "That he is, yes. Allow me to be the one to introduce the newest member of the fort. Say hello to Roy."

Okay, uh... not really sure what to do here. I've decided to stand up in my seat and give a bow to everyone before sitting back down. Was that the proper response to this situation?

The grandma with the silver pigtails smiled at me sweetly. "Oh, the dearie looks unsure of himself."

"Does he have stage fright?" The beehive haired grandma interjected.

"Feh. Maybe he'll be a shoe-in at the greeting party?" The crotchety grandpa, Elder Norak, added with a chuckle. "Teach him a trick or two to appease the dignitaries when they come around. That'll help a bit with their approval."

"Elder Norak," Kilani Bel DaggerKnuckle interupted. "I would highly doubt that Roy here would be up for such a daunting task. I'd rather not see him be foisted with even a fraction of the responsibilities a servant partakes daily in this hold."

Arrinoka leaned forward with a smirk. "But Lady Kilani, wasn't it Roy's suggestion to wear turquoise jewelry two days ago? I notice that you're now wearing a small ensemble of blue jewelry that is best described as turquoise. That would show some initiative on his part, wouldn't you say?"

Kilani huffed and looked away from Arrinoka. "With due respect, Lord Arisota, I find turquoise jewelry to be the best gemstones that brings out my natural beauty. It matters little whether or not a beggar or a fashion designer provides advice I already know is useful to someone of my station."

"Makes me wonder which ambassador they'll be sending this time around." The pigtail grandma growled nonchalantly. "If it's the sleepy one again like last time, we'd have no problems whatsoever. But if it's the prissy one, we'll be having no end of demands to satisfy. But if it's a new guy... well... We'll work with what we have."

"The prissy one." The beehive haired grandma repeated. She then nodded with a knowing smile. "I think Kilani would enjoy his visit most."

Norak gestured to me. "So, eh, Roy was it? Do you perhaps have any talents you might like to use in the coming greeting party?"

Looks like I've been addressed. How should I play this? Do I even have a lick of skill when it comes to grabbing the attention of the masses for the purposes of entertaining them? Actually, an honest answer might save me here. I began with a sigh before sharing a little of my heart. "I, unfortunately, don't really have much in zhe way of what you might call talents. I've only been in zhis fort for a few days already, and... I don't have anyzhing zhat can break zhe ice, so to speak. Ideally, I'll probably need someone to teach me somezhing zhat'll wow your guests. Somezhing easy and quick. Somezhing along zhe lines of poetry or any ozher similar zhings."

Norak chuckled and shook his head. "A poetic yinglet, eh? I'll have seen everything then! Though I doubt writing down some pretty poems would be useful in a fort full of militant minded folks."

I tilted my head at Norak, confused. "You would believe zhe sword is mightier zhan zhe pen?"

Norak looked at me, half nonplussed and half annoyed. "Perhaps, perhaps not. That entirely depends on which one is held by a warrior of action, and which is held by the bureaucratic scholar."

I shook my head at him. "A pen isn't mightier zhan zhe sword. Pens do not do battle, nor swords enunciate poetry. Mighty is zhe hand zhat knows when to pick up zhe pen, or pick up zhe sword. Anyone who zhinks zhe pen is mightier zhan zhe sword has not been stabbed wizh bozh." I answered, paraphrasing a few quotes I know. Especially from the video game Final Fantasy Tactics, and the famous author from my world known as Lemony Snicket.

That got Elder Norak to make a half-impressed huff at me. Zuddle, for the first time since joining us in the dining hall table, spoke up and addressed me. "You certainly have a bit of poetic sense, Roy. That bit you said certainly sounded like a sort of whimsical wisdom."

I smiled bashfully. "Heh, uh, well, zhank you. It'd probably be a little bit better if I made it rhyme zhough. And if it can be rhymed, it could also be put into a song, I bet."

Zuddle chuckled. "Roy, the minstrel yinglet. Seems like I really lucked out then." He said, leaning back into his seat.

"Lucked out?" The beehive grandma interjected.

"What do you mean by that, Lord Zuddle?" The pigtail grandma asked.

"Forgive me, Elder Dallia, Elder Zann." Zuddle said, bowing his head in respect. "I was speaking of the time where Roy was being auctioned between me and Lord Arrinoka. I lost the bid, but Arrinoka has placed it upon himself to go to the Exotic Animal Registry Guild to have Roy assigned as a pet to himself."

"Ah yes, that would be my department." The butt-toucher said. Who invited this guy?

"Master Toggen, you have not been addressed by the hosts of the table, nor have you asked permission to speak." Arrinoka reprimanded firmly.

Butt-toucher, aka Lord Toggen or whatever, seemed like he sunk into his seat. Almost feel bad for him. Although, that did get me to think about him and the circumstances of my being in Arisota's Fort in the first place. "May I have permission to speak?" I ask with a raised hand.

Everyone's attention was on me for a few seconds. "Very well. What is it would you like to speak about?" Arrinoka said, gesturing to me.

"I'm actually a little curious about zhe kind of work zhat zhe master of zhe Exotic Animal Registry Guild does." I leaned forward with my attention focused on the guild master. "Do you get a lot of animals zhrough your office? What kinds of animals do you typically license?"

The guild master blinked at me a few times before perking up with an incredulous smile. "Oh we do get some strange matter of critters and beasts through my guild halls every now and then. Mostly it's just the rich noble that thinks they can get a tame hill-dog to live in their estate. There's also the odd request every now and then, like the Green-Cheeked Mimics, a popular animal that hails from Kalleg Darr. Then there's the Sallow Sapper, a type of bark-burrowing beetle from Brinnilee that's often used for making cheap sap wine. And then of course there was you coming through my office only a few days ago. Probably the oddest thing I have ever licensed in my line of work in my professional opinion."

"Really? How so?" I asked, curious.

"Most folks generally don't bother registering a yinglet for a pet. Most people think scavs aren't very good to have as pets since they're typically clumsy and mischievous. Most often, they would settle trading them away for the bounty instead." The Guild Master answered.

"Huh. Zhat's a little disheartening." I sighed and crossed my arms, steeped in deep thoughts. I guess this is a dead end.

"May I speak?" Kilani asked, raising hehr hand. Once Arrinoka gestured to her the go-ahead, she continued. "Master Toggen, would this imply your department not only manages the licenses of exotic animals, but also the bounty rewards for certain animals as well?"

"For the most part, Lady Kilani." The Guild Master nodded. "Nearly all of the bounties usually consist of the skinned hides taken from the butchered bodies of the battle burgens from The Southlands, which are the favored hunting animals used by the tribals. To a lesser extent, there's also the odd scav that's sometimes caught sneaking inside of a landowner's property, but they usually get transferred to the butchery right after the bounty is exchanged."

I don't know what a 'burgen' is, but this doesn't tell me anything important either. ... Well, except for the fact that I'm lucky to even be alive. Luckier still that I get to know the system of these 'animal bounties' and how they're managed. Arrinoka decided at that moment to change the topic. "Perhaps we should drop this macabre subject?"

"For the scav's sakes? Very well." Norak grumbled. He seemed the least uninterested in this conversation anyway. When Kilani finally took the chance to look at me, I looked away from her. I think she was somewhat concerned about me, not realizing how I might have felt about the bounties. Can't blame her for wanting to know, but damn did it really showcase how insignificant I would have became had I been unlucky enough. That thought alone was a little frightening, but I'm at least glad that I'm at the dining table and not on a skinning rack. Shudder.

Perhaps I should be more courteous to the hosts of the table. I raise my hand once more. "I would like to apologize zhen."

Arrinoka and everyone else turned their attention to me again. "Whatever for?" Arrinoka asked.

"I am reminded zhat I don't know anyzhing about zhis fort, which means zhere is still so much for me to learn. Upon becoming Lord Arrinoka's pet, I've became morbidly curious about zhe workings of his fort. As uncomfortable I am asking about zhese questions, it's necessary knowledge zhat'll help me adjust to zhis new life." I explained.

"You're fine, Roy." Arrinoka said with a reassuring smile. "If anything, perhaps I was the one that didn't see this anxiety you have been developing of late?"

"Hadn't you been the one to give Roy a tour through the fort, Arri?" Zuddle asked.

Arrinoka shrugged. "Being the Fortmaster has certain responsibilities I can't shirk, unfortunately. I can't be there to hold Roy's hand all the time."

And now the pieces finally come together. "Say... Lord Arrinoka did say zhat we should be more neighborly wizh one anozher. Right?" I pleaded my fingers together. "Maybe if Lord Zuddle is not too busy, perhaps he could be my guide instead of Arrinoka? I'd like to get to know his personality a little better, if possible."

Zuddle's face soured. "Arri, I would rather not have this distraction eat into too much of my time."

Arrinoka shook his head with a smirk on his face. "Oh we all know you make your daily rounds into the larder after every breakfast. You could take that opportunity to be a friend to the yinglet."

"And you, Lord Arrinoka?" Zuddle asked with a raised eyebrow.

Arrinoka sighed as he leaned into his chair. "Thaladine is apparently troubled and wants a private audience with me again."

"Wouldn't that take time away from your lordly duties?" Zuddle pressed.

"I doubt it'll take too long, brother." He said, waving away Zuddle's complaint. "Besides! Roy wants to bond with you for a change! You could teach him to play a harp-guitar, the rules of a game, or even the etiquette and traditions of the greeting party that we've been preparing for. It'll be fun for you two!"

Zuddle groaned. "Well... What about Lady Kilani? Perhaps she might be free to help Roy?"

Kilani shook her head. "I must politely decline the offer, Master Zuddle. All of my attention is focused in preparing the meeting hall for the Greeting Party."

Zuddle thumped his fingers on the dining table rhythmically before turning to the grandpa and grandmothers. "Elders Dallia, Zan, Norak? What might you suggest?"

Norak shook his head and waved a dismissing hand at Zuddle. "Don't look at us for our wisdom on this matter, young foster Zuddle. We only babysit children fathered and mothered from the throne of Arisota's Hold. Roy ain't our responsibility."

"Yinglets come from eggs." The beehive grandma stated.

The pigtail grandma smiled and gently patted her shoulder. "Of course they do, Zann. Of course they do."

Wait. What did Norak say something important just now? I would have pressed into the matter, but it seems like Zuddle was quickly losing to this suggestion, and he's becoming frustrated with this responsibility. However, after being at war with himself for a few seconds, he took a breath before sighing. "Very well. I'll shepherd my brother's pet for today. Much to my chagrin."

"I'm sure you two will get along wonderfully." Arrinoka said with a beaming smile.

And with that coming to a close, the food was already being carted in and being delivered to the table. Oh thank goodness. Let's get the morning meal done and over with already.

With breakfast finished, I find myself walking with the man that tried to buy me for a thousand gold grains. To summarize the meal that happened after our discussion, I think everything went rather well. The etiquette for eating breakfast wasn't as difficult as I was making it out to be, for one. On the other hand, having to eat out of a dog bowl was embarrassing enough in itself, though I at least had access to utensils, a cloth napkin, and a glass of water with a reed straw already in it. I had hardboiled eggs, sausage, steamed tuburs topped with shredded and melted cheese, and some fruit jam to dip them in. Definitely better than a stew of half-mashed snaprats and other godawful things.

Other than that... yeah, this is an awkward walk.

Well, since we're here and everything, I think it's about time I get this question answered. I tentatively looked up at Zuddle and summoned up a bit of courage. "Master Zuddle, sir?"

"Yes?" He replied, looking down at me with a tinge of annoyance.

"I hope you don't mind zhat I didn't bring zhis up during zhe conversation wizh everyone, but I couldn't help but notice what Elder Norak had said earlier. What did he mean when he called you a young foster, if I may ask?" I asked.

Zuddle sighed and slowed his pace. "Truth be told, I'm an adopted child Roy."

I blinked a few times. "Oh? Oh wow, I didn't even know zhat."

"It's just a bit of gray history behind the lineage of Arisota's Hold. It's not the kind of common knowledge that is known to the public." Zuddle said with an apathetic shake of his hand. "In fact, many of the lords that live in The Crown District know this insubstantial trivia. But regardless, I'm grateful of the circumstances of my upbringing. Had my father, Lord Eskrant Arisota, didn't see the potential in me that enabled me to become the advisor I am today, he would have passed over me and seek a different child to be at his son's side."

"Is he still around?" I asked with a cocked head.

"Sadly no." He replied stone-faced. "During a skirmish from years ago, an arrow shot from a tribal Southlander had slew him in his prime."

"Oh. Um. My condolences." I said with a bow of my head.

Zuddle shook his head with another sigh, dismissing me with a gesture. "It's ancient history, Roy. It is nothing you should feel sorry for."

"But zhe loss of a leader can affect a whole community. And not just a leader, but a fazher too. Great men or women dying too soon will always drastically affect zhose closest to zhem." I said.

Zuddle looked down at me, this time with a curious brow raised at me. "You speak from your own loss?"

I nodded. "I used to have a great grandaunt. She was a friendly lady, and was zhe kind of person zhat would cook you somezhing yummy at zhe drop of a hat. Sadly, I wasn't zhere when she passed away on her deazhbed. At least she was surrounded by her loved ones before she went."

"Grandaunt. That is, uh... a sister to a grandmother, is it? And wouldn't that term likely be from a human family structure?" Zuddle asked.

Oh. That threw me into a short loop. Uh. Roll with something that aught to be common knowledge to him or something, and make it quick! "Sad to say, but a small part of yinglet culture sometimes mimic a few human traditions. I guess it's just somezhing younger cultures often do, regardless of circumstances." I replied. I hope that sounded smart enough to omit further questions.

"Mm." After several seconds passed, Zuddle decided to speak up again. "I must admit something, Roy. The more I speak with you, the more I feel inclined to notice your intellect. Have you had a human upbringing?"

I blinked at Zuddle, baffled by his observation. Was this bad for me? Crap! Uh! Be coy! Be coy! "My goodness." I chuckled as I shook my head. "I'm flattered zhat you would zhink zhat. I truly am."

"That doesn't answer my question though." Zuddle stated. Fek.

"Zhat's because I haven't prepared an appropriate answer yet." I said with a whimsical waggle of a pointed finger.

Zuddle sighed as he gazed at the ceiling he was passing under. "All the more reason why I want to figure out why you were at the Beast-Tamers Guild's kennels."

"Why do I feel like I'm being interrogated?" I asked, raising my eyebrow at him. Maybe this will make him stop pressing me for answers that'll compromise myself?

Zuddle paused before a weak chuckle escaped his breath. "You'll have to forgive me. Being the Vice Master and Advisor to the throne of Arisota's Hold tends to make oneself very... analytical to every crumb of information."

I nodded with my arms crossed in front of me. "Certainly sounds like a very mentally taxing position to be in. I don't envy your occupation."

"Ah, even so, I do hope that what I do here elicits some changes in the future. I hope to convince the Tribes of the Southlands to stop their warring and learn of the finer ways of economic progress, accept modern knowledge, and inherit new traditions that hopefully dulls their aggression against us. Dear brother Arrinoka certainly has his ideas, while I have my own, but... Ah..." He scratched at his head in slight embarrassment. "I seemed to have rambled."

I chuckled at him. "A good ramble can sometimes jog your zhinking. I see no fault in pacing yourself mentally."

"Mm." Zuddle responded, nodding. He then turned to me with a smile. "Once I make my rounds through the larder, I think we are owed some fun for ourselves."

I bowed and gestured to Zuddle. "Lead zhe way. I promise to follow and learn about zhe fort from you as much as possible."

Even though our budding friendship started out on shaky grounds, I'm hoping that this won't devolve into an awkward situation later on down the road.

A/N: This chapter took way longer to complete than intended.